Pipe joint

Abstract

A pipe joint for connecting two pipes to each other has a joint member to which one of the pipes is fixed and provided with a bore formed therein, a socket member fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the joint member and provided at its one end with a flange having an opening and also with an annular space defined by the flange, a retainer ring composed of a plurality of segments each having a tapered surface confronting the opening, the segments being arranged in the circumferential direction and held by an elastic band fitting on the outer peripheral surfaces thereof such that the retainer ring composed of the segments can expand and contract radially, and a male member constituted by the other of the pipes and having a bead portion protruding radially outwardly from the outer peripheral surface of the male member at a position near the end of the male member. The retainer ring has an inside diameter smaller than the outside diameter of the bead so that, when the male member is inserted into the bore in the joint member through the opening, the bead portion produces a wedging action on the tapered surfaces of the segments of the retainer ring so as to radially expand the retainer ring overcoming the force of the elastic band thereby allowing the bead portion to clear the retainer ring. After the bead portion has passed the retainer ring, the retainer ring is contracted radially by the force of the elastic band so as to engage with the rear side of the bead portion.